Andre Drummond let the world know Sunday night time that he is “within the temper for a Philly cheesesteak.”
Minutes following that not-especially-cryptic tweet by Drummond, HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported the veteran middle has agreed to a “two-year, $10+ million deal” with the Sixers that has a participant possibility within the second yr. A supply later confirmed these particulars to NBC Sports activities Philadelphia.
Meaning Drummond’s in line for a second stint as Joel Embiid’s backup. The primary ended on the 2022 commerce deadline when the Sixers included Drummond as a part of their bundle to accumulate James Harden from the Nets. Over 49 video games as a Sixer, Drummond averaged 6.1 factors, 8.8 rebounds and a couple of.0 assists.
The 30-year-old large man loved his first run in Philadelphia and sounded fairly open to returning in January of 2023.
“I believe simply how a lot of a household this group is,” Drummond mentioned. “They welcomed me. They made me really feel very comfy once I acquired right here. We simply had a variety of enjoyable as a group. We actually cared about one another.
“We had one frequent objective, which was to win as many video games as doable and be nice. It’s unhappy that we needed to break issues up in February. I positively miss taking part in right here.”
With the Bulls final season, Drummond led NBA regulars in offensive rebounding proportion, defensive rebounding proportion and complete rebounding proportion.
No matter occurs elsewhere for the Sixers in free company, they’re going to be assured Drummond can assist them make essential enchancment on the glass. In keeping with Cleansing the Glass, the group ranked twenty sixth final yr in defensive rebounding charge, and the Sixers’ struggles there performed a big position of their first-round playoff collection loss to the Knicks.
In a broader sense, the Sixers may even see Drummond as a participant who can step into starter’s minutes if wanted and assist them fare higher than final season’s 16-27 mark in video games with out Embiid.
Coming into free company, the Sixers’ solely facilities underneath contract have been Embiid and Paul Reed (non-guaranteed, roughly $7.7 million deal for subsequent yr). The group additionally chosen UCLA product Adem Bona with the forty first total decide within the NBA draft.